A veteran died without a family and now his neighbor is helping plan a proper funeral.

A veteran died without a family and now his neighbor is helping plan a proper funeral.

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Updated: 6:38 PM MDT Apr 29, 2016

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WEBVTT LAINS HOW YOU, CAN HELP. REPORTER: KHADIJAH BOTTOM WISHES SHE JUST HAD ONE PICTURE. >> HE WAS A FRIEND. REPORTER: OF HER NEIGHBOR >> HE HAD A PIECE OF MY HEART. REPORTER: JERRY PARRISH. THE 72-YEAR-OLD DIED IN HIS HOME A FEW WEEKS AGO. WITH NO FAMILY, HIS BODY ARRIVED HERE AT DANIEL'S FUNERAL HOME IN NORTHEAST ALBUQUERQUE. THE PLAN WAS FOR PARRISH TO BE CREMATED, BUT BOTTOM SAYS HER FRIEND DESERVED SO MUCH MORE. >> I WANTED HIM TO HAVE A PROPER BURIAL. REPORTER: YOU SEE PARRISH IS A VETERAN WHO SERVED OUR COUNTRY IN THE U.S. ARMY. >> I COULD NOT SEE HIM BE DISPOSED OF. REPORTER: DANIEL'S FUNERAL HOME MANAGER LEROY GARCIA, COULDN'T AGREE MORE. HE SAYS HIS DAD, WAS A VETERAN TOO. >> HE WAS SO PROUD TO SAY HE WAS A VETERAN, AND I JUST TO ME, HAVING MR. PARRISH CREMATED AND STORED AWAY WAS JUST NOT AN OPTION. REPORTER: GARCIA WASTED NO TIME ARRANGING FOR PARRISH TO BE BURIED AT THE SANTA FE NATIONAL CEMETERY. WITH FULL HONORS. WITH THE FUNERAL HOME PAYING MOST OF THE COSTS. >> I FELT LIKE I GAVE BACK. >> OUR GOAL IS TO HONOR AND RESPECT ALL INDIVIDUALS THAT HAVE SERVED IN THE MILITARY. REPORTER: BOTTOM SAYS SHE'S ETERNALLY GRATEFUL TO THE FUNERAL HOME. NOW, SHE'S ASKING US, ESPECIALLY SERVICE MEMBERS AND VETERANS, TO ATTEND PARRISH'S SERVICE TUESDAY. >> I WANT TO SEE HIM GIVEN THE RESPECT AS A VETERAN AND AS A HUMAN BEING.

Community Plans Funeral For Veteran

A veteran died without a family and now his neighbor is helping plan a proper funeral.